Fulani Braids: 38 Styles, From Boho to Flip-Over

Takeaways

Fulani braids are cornrows braided close to the scalp at the front, usually a center row with rows braided toward the face, and loose braids behind. They come from the Fulani people of West Africa, where braids could signal age, marital status and wealth, and they're often finished with beads, cowrie shells or gold cuffs.
Fulani braids take four to eight hours, depending on size: small braids six to eight hours, large three to four. They cost $120 to $350 and last one to two months. Flip-over Fulani, with the braids swept over one shoulder, takes six to eight hours.
Fulani braids are one version of tribal braids, the umbrella name for any braids set in a pattern. Ask for the size, the length, the front pattern, the hair and the finish, sleep in a silk scarf, and take them out by eight weeks.

You’ve found the one. Cornrows at the front, long braids hanging behind, a couple of beads by the face. Then the braider asks the questions you didn’t see coming: classic, boho or flip-over? Small or medium? And is it Fulani or tribal?

Fulani braids take their name from the Fulani people, a nomadic group spread across West Africa, where a braid down the middle of the head with smaller braids to the sides and beads on the ends was the original. The version you choose decides your afternoon: four to eight hours in the chair is normal, and a flip-over with extra braids is at the long end.

Below are 38 styles by working braiders, grouped the way people search for them, many shown from two angles. Every look ends on what to say when you book, so you can find your photo and read out its last line.

Classic Fulani braids

Woman in a black tank top looking down, long black Fulani braids from a center part — The rows run back from the hairline toward the ears before the braids drop.

Woman in a black tank top in three-quarter view with long black Fulani braids — From the side, the braids fall well past the chest.

This is the pattern most people picture: a center part, rows braided back from the hairline toward the ears, and long braids falling past the waist. Black braiding hair keeps it clean. The length gives you enough to tie it up on hot days.

What to ask for Classic Fulani braids, small, center part, rows from the hairline toward the ears, black, waist length.

Photos: @casamahza (left), @casamahza (right) Pin this

Waist-length Fulani braids

The side rows curve back over the ear.

Woman in a blue tie-dye T-shirt looking down, black Fulani braids with curved side rows — Laid edges curl at the temple below the curved rows.

The side rows curve back over the ear here before the braids drop. From the side, the pattern reads as clearly as it does from the front. At this length you’ll feel the weight, so ask your braider to keep the rows at the hairline loose.

What to ask for Fulani braids, small, curved side rows, black, past the waist, not tight at the edges.

Photos: @iamcreation_of_beautyyy (left), @iamcreation_of_beautyyy (right) Pin this

Medium Fulani braids

Woman in a leopard-print top looking down, medium black Fulani braids to the chest — The center row runs back from a gold ring at the front.

Smiling woman in a leopard-print top with medium black Fulani braids to the chest — The braids stop at the chest, with rows braided toward the face.

Medium braids are quicker than small ones: about four to six hours against six to eight. This set stops at the chest, with a center row, side rows braided toward the face and a couple of gold rings at the front, which braiders also call gold cuffs.

What to ask for Medium Fulani braids, center row, side rows toward the face, black, chest length, two gold rings at the front.

Photos: @biomaurbiafro (left), @biomaurbiafro (right) Pin this

Shoulder-length Fulani braids

Woman in a black puffer jacket with black Fulani braids just past the shoulders — Rows from a center part run back toward the ears.

Woman in a black puffer jacket looking down, Fulani braids from a center part — From above, the rows fan out from the center part.

Rows from a center part run back toward the ears, and the braids stop just past the shoulders. From the front and the side, the whole pattern stays on show.

What to ask for Fulani braids, medium, center part, rows toward the ears, black, just past the shoulders.

Photos: @fernanda.delim (left), @fernanda.delim (right) Pin this

Fulani braids with straight hair

Woman in a black zip top with cornrows on one side and long straight hair — Cornrows sit on one side of a middle part, and straight hair falls on the other.

Woman in a black zip top in three-quarter view, side cornrows with long straight hair — The braids at the side hang between the straight lengths.

Cornrows on one side and straight hair left out on the other give you half braids, half sleek. The straight side is your own hair or a sew-in, so ask which your braider does and what it costs on top.

What to ask for Fulani cornrows on one side with straight hair left out, middle part, braids to the chest.

Photos: @neyhairs_ (left), @neyhairs_ (right) Pin this

Fulani braids with box braids behind

Woman in a gingham top looking down, Fulani cornrows with box braids behind — Cornrows run back from a side part.

Woman in a gingham top in three-quarter view with Fulani cornrows and long box braids — Square-parted box braids fall from the crown.

Fulani braids are cornrows at the front with box braids behind, and this set shows the split clearly: rows from a side part, then square-parted box braids from the crown down. Box braids start with a knot at the root, so ask for knotless if you want less pull.

What to ask for Fulani braids, side part, cornrows at the front, medium box braids behind, black, mid-back.

Photos: @timeless_trendy_hair (left), @timeless_trendy_hair (right) Pin this

Jumbo Fulani braids

Jumbo braids mean fewer parts, so the install is quicker: large braids take three to four hours and chunky ones two to three. This set is bright red, with a few thick rows at the front and long braids past the waist.

What to ask for Jumbo Fulani braids, large rows at the front, red braiding hair, past the waist.

Photo @trancascaroline Pin this

Fulani braids with a sew-in

Woman in black with Fulani rows at the front and long straight sew-in hair — The rows stop at the crown and straight hair falls behind.

The front is braided in Fulani rows and the back is left in straight hair, sewn in, so you get the pattern at the hairline and a sleek finish behind. Ask whether your braider does the sew-in too, since it’s priced separately.

What to ask for Fulani braids at the front with a straight sew-in behind, middle part, black, past the shoulders.

Photo @friostyles Pin this

Silver Fulani braids

Woman in a black off-shoulder top with silver-gray Fulani braids from a center part — Silver-gray braids frame the face from a center part.

Woman in a black off-shoulder top in three-quarter view with long silver-gray Fulani braids — The braids fall past the chest.

Silver-gray braiding hair from a center part, with rows braided toward the face. The color comes from the braiding hair, so her own hair stays as it is.

What to ask for Fulani braids, medium, center part, silver-gray braiding hair, chest length.

Photos: @nefertiti.belezaafro (left), @nefertiti.belezaafro (right) Pin this

Side-part Fulani braids

A deep side part sends the rows across the head in curves, and small braids hang past the hips. From the side, the curved rows sweep back toward the ear.

What to ask for Side-part Fulani braids, curved rows from a deep side part, small braids, black, hip length.

Photo @kaymonet.experience Pin this

Fulani braids with twists

Woman in a gray zip top with Fulani cornrows and long twists with curly ends — Two-strand twists hang behind the cornrows.

The front is cornrowed in the Fulani pattern, and the back is two-strand twists instead of braids, finished with curly ends. The twists stop at the chest.

What to ask for Fulani cornrows at the front, two-strand twists behind with curly ends, black, chest length.

Photo @_.havana Pin this

Fulani braids on natural hair

Woman in an orange top with small Fulani braids on her natural hair, rows from a center part — Small rows run back from the hairline into loose braids of her own hair.

Small rows from a center part and loose braids behind, all braided from her own hair with no extensions. With no added hair, there’s less weight on the scalp and less to take down.

What to ask for Fulani braids on my natural hair, no extensions, small rows from a center part, loose braids behind.

Photo @vickybraids_ Pin this

Fulani braids with beads, cuffs and designs

Short Fulani braids with beads

Cream and clear beads are stacked on every end.

Back view of shoulder-length Fulani braids with cream and clear beads — From behind, the beads line up across the shoulders.

Shoulder-length braids with cream and clear beads stacked on every end. Fulani braids were beaded long before anyone pinned them, and the beads click when you turn your head.

What to ask for Fulani braids to the shoulders, cornrows at the front, cream and clear beads on every end.

Photos: @slayedinbraids (left), @slayedinbraids (right) Pin this

Fulani braids with blue beads

Woman in a black top with Fulani rows and long braids fading from black to bright blue — Small silver beads sit on the blue braids.

Fulani rows at the front, then long braids that fade from black at the root to bright blue at the ends, with small silver beads. The color sits low, so the rows at the front stay black.

What to ask for Fulani braids, rows at the front, black to bright blue braiding hair, waist length, small silver beads.

Photo @_sweeta_neisha_ Pin this

Fulani braids with wooden beads

Woman in a burgundy top with short Fulani braids and stacked wooden beads — Wooden beads are stacked on the short braid ends.

Short braids with wooden beads stacked on the ends, and curved rows at the front. The beads add weight, so short braids carry them better than long ones.

What to ask for Fulani braids, curved rows at the front, short braids, wooden beads on the ends.

Photo @braids.byliz Pin this

Fulani braids with cuffs

Woman in a cream top looking down, Fulani braids from a center part with small gold cuffs — Small gold cuffs sit along the rows and braids.

Cuffs slide over finished braids, so they can go on after the install and come off without touching the braid. This set has a center part, rows braided toward the face and small gold cuffs scattered along the rows and braids.

What to ask for Fulani braids, center part, rows toward the face, black, chest length, small gold cuffs through the rows and braids.

Photo @sunreey Pin this

Fulani braids with a swirl design

Loops and swirls are braided into the rows at the side.

Back view of Fulani braids with swirled and looped cornrows over a camouflage top — From behind, curved motifs cover the whole back of the head.

Curved rows, loops and swirls are braided into the pattern from the hairline to the nape, so the back of the head becomes the design. Every part has to be drawn before it’s braided, so it takes longer than straight rows, and it pays off in the back view.

What to ask for Fulani braids with a freestyle swirl design over the crown and back, small braids behind, dark brown, mid-back.

Photos: @slayedinbraids (left), @slayedinbraids (right) Pin this

Fulani braids with curved rows

Woman in a black top looking down, Fulani braids with rows curving across the crown — The rows curve across the crown, with a swirl at the temple.

The rows curve across the head toward one side instead of running straight back, and the braids hang past the shoulders.

What to ask for Fulani braids with curved rows swept to one side, medium braids, black, past the shoulders.

Photo Jas TheFlower Pin this

Fulani braids with a heart

Back view of Fulani braids with heart-shaped parts and honey-blonde braids — Heart-shaped parts sit between the rows.

A heart is braided into the rows, over the ear or at the crown, and the rest of the braids hang loose. StyleSeat lists heart designs among its Fulani styles, alongside zigzags and swirls.

What to ask for Fulani braids with heart-shaped parts in the rows, thick braids behind, black with honey-blonde accents.

Photo Tina Brown Pin this

Boho Fulani braids and Fulani braids with curls

Boho Fulani braids

Boho Fulani braids leave curly hair out along every braid, root to tip, so they look full from day one. This set has curved rows at the front and curls down to the waist. The curls need refreshing midway through, so plan on it.

What to ask for Boho Fulani braids, curved rows at the front, curly human hair from root to tip, dark brown, waist length.

Photos: @braids.byliz (left), @braids.byliz (right) Pin this

Goddess Fulani braids

Woman in a white top with Fulani rows and black braids ending in big curls — Big curls start below the shoulders.

Woman with Fulani rows and long black braids with curly ends — The braids stay neat to the curls at the ends.

Goddess braids keep the curls mostly at the ends, so the braids stay neat for longer than boho. This set has rows at the front and big curls from the shoulders down.

What to ask for Goddess Fulani braids, rows at the front, curls at the ends only, black, chest length.

Photos: @hairstyledbynia (left), @exaltacaotrancista (right) Pin this

Fulani braids with curls

Woman in a black hoodie with Fulani braids, honey streaks and curly pieces — Curly pieces hang loose along the braids.

Woman in a black hoodie in three-quarter view, Fulani rows and curly braids with honey streaks — The rows curve back from the hairline on one side.

Side-swept rows at the front, then braids with curly pieces left out along their length, in black with honey streaks. From the side, the rows curve over the ear before the braids drop.

What to ask for Fulani braids with curls, side-swept rows, black with honey streaks, curly pieces along every braid, chest length.

Photos: @fernanda.delim (left), @fernanda.delim (right) Pin this

Boho Fulani braids with honey highlights

Woman in a white top with boho Fulani braids in brown with honey highlights — A side part sends most of the curls to one side.

Small rows at the front and boho braids behind, brown with honey highlights and curls along every braid. A side part sends most of the volume to one side.

What to ask for Boho Fulani braids, small rows at the front, side part, brown with honey highlights, curly human hair along every braid, past the chest.

Photos: @fernanda.delim (left), @fernanda.delim (right) Pin this

Fulani braids with copper curls

Woman in red glasses and a magenta sweater with Fulani braids and copper curls — A curl is left loose at each temple.

Woman in red glasses looking to one side, Fulani rows and braids with copper curls — The braids behind finish in copper-toned curls.

A few rows at the front are braided back, with a curl left loose at each temple, and the braids behind finish in copper-toned curls. She wears it with red glasses.

What to ask for Fulani braids with a few rows at the front, curls left out at the temples, braids behind with copper curls, chest length.

Photos: @fernanda.delim (left), @fernanda.delim (right) Pin this

Boho Fulani braids with ombré

Woman with boho Fulani braids fading from dark brown to copper — The curls turn copper toward the ends.

Boho braids that fade from dark brown at the root to copper at the tips, with curls along every braid.

What to ask for Boho Fulani braids, rows at the front, dark brown to copper ombré, curls along every braid, mid-back.

Photo @saalon_black Pin this

Fulani braids with natural curls

Woman in a blue top and mustard cardigan with Fulani cornrows and long golden curls — A few cornrows at the front, the rest left in her own curls.

A few cornrows at the front with gold cuffs, and the rest of her own curls left out. You get the Fulani front without a full head of braids.

What to ask for Fulani cornrows at the front only, gold cuffs, my natural curls left out behind.

Photo @casamahza Pin this

Flip-over, side-swept and lemonade Fulani braids

Flip-over Fulani braids

The rows are flipped to one side and the braids fall over one shoulder, with curls through the length. Flip-over Fulani takes six to eight hours, longer than classic, because the braids are mixed into the cornrow pattern rather than kept at the back.

What to ask for Flip-over Fulani braids, rows flipped to one side, brown with blonde highlights, curls through the length, past the shoulders.

Photos: @hbraids.estiloafro (left), @hbraids.estiloafro (right) Pin this

Side-swept Fulani braids

Every row curves toward one side, and the braids fall together over one shoulder. A flip-over takes the same idea further, mixing extra braids into the rows at the front, and it takes six to eight hours.

What to ask for Side-swept Fulani braids, curved rows to the left, black, braids over one shoulder, mid-back.

Photos: @casamahza (left), @casamahza (right) Pin this

Lemonade Fulani braids

Lemonade braids sweep the cornrows to one side, the way Beyoncé wore them for Lemonade. This set wraps one braid in gold thread and sweeps the rest behind the ear.

What to ask for Lemonade Fulani braids, side-swept rows, black, gold thread on one braid, laid edges.

Photos: @rootsofluxury (left), @rootsofluxury (right) Pin this

Lemonade Fulani braids with French curls

Smiling woman with side-swept Fulani rows and long copper French curl braids — Side-swept rows at the front, copper curls from the shoulders down.

Side-swept rows at the front, then copper French curls from the shoulders down. The curls are big and loose, and they reach the waist.

What to ask for Lemonade Fulani braids with French curls, copper, triangle parts behind, waist length.

Photo @joicerocha_trancas Pin this

Short Fulani braids and Fulani bobs

Fulani braid bob

A chin-length bob with a center part, rows from the hairline and gold cuffs on a few braids. Less length means less weight on your edges and a shorter install, and the bob still shows the full pattern.

What to ask for Fulani braid bob, medium, center part, black, chin length, gold cuffs on a few braids.

Photos: @braboisbeauty (left), @braboisbeauty (right) Pin this

Copper Fulani bob

Woman in a green fleece jacket with a copper Fulani braid bob and gold earrings — Curved side rows lead into a jaw-length copper bob.

Woman in a green fleece jacket looking down, copper Fulani braid bob — The curled ends sit at the jaw.

Copper braiding hair, curved side rows and a jaw-length bob with curled ends. She wears it with a pair of gold disc earrings.

What to ask for Fulani braid bob, copper, curved side rows, jaw length, curled ends.

Photos: @casamahza (left), @casamahza (right) Pin this

Asymmetrical Fulani bob

Woman in a black cardigan with an asymmetrical black Fulani braid bob — The rows sweep across the crown toward the long side.

Longer on one side than the other, with the rows swept across the crown toward the long side. The short side shows the rows over the ear, and the long side falls past the jaw.

What to ask for Asymmetrical Fulani bob, side-swept rows, black, jaw length on one side and chin length on the other.

Photo @beauty_can_braid Pin this

Short Fulani braids with curls

Woman in a gray sweater with short Fulani braids and curly ends — Curly ends sit around the collarbone.

Rows at the front and short braids that finish in curly ends around the collarbone. It’s a bob-length Fulani with a softer edge.

What to ask for Short Fulani braids, rows at the front, curly ends at the collarbone, black.

Photo @braids.byliz Pin this

Fulani braids in ponytails, buns and half-up styles

Fulani braids in a ponytail

Silver cuffs sit along the rows that run up to the ponytail.

The rows run back to a high ponytail, with silver cuffs along them, and the braids fall long from the top of the head. It keeps the hair off your neck and still shows the pattern from the side.

What to ask for Fulani braids, rows to the crown, high braided ponytail, black, silver cuffs along the rows.

Photo @thequeenofkrump Pin this

Half-up Fulani buns

Woman in a white blouse with honey-brown Fulani braids in two space buns — Two space buns on top, the rest of the braids hanging long.

Woman in a white blouse looking at the camera, honey-brown Fulani braids and space buns — The center part runs between the buns down to the brow.

Two space buns on top and the rest of the braids hanging long, in honey brown with a few gold rings. The center part runs between the buns down to the brow.

What to ask for Fulani braids, honey brown, chest length, two space buns on top with the rest left down.

Photos: @blackstorm.bs (left), @blackstorm.bs (right) Pin this

Half-up Fulani braids with curls

Smiling woman in a red top with small buns on top and long curls — Small buns sit along the top of the head.

Woman in a red top looking down, half-up Fulani braids with buns and curls — Long curls are left down below the buns.

Small buns along the top, rows at the front, and the rest left down in long curls. It’s a half-up style that works with braids or with curls behind.

What to ask for Half-up Fulani braids, rows at the front, small buns on top, long curls left down, dark brown.

Photos: @fernanda.delim (left), @fernanda.delim (right) Pin this

Fulani braids in low buns

Back view of Fulani braids coiled into low buns over a black T-shirt — Coiled buns sit at the nape.

The rows sweep back over the ear into the buns.

The braids are coiled into flat buns at the nape and the side, with curved rows at the front. From the side, the rows sweep back over the ear into the buns.

What to ask for Fulani braids, medium, curved rows, dark brown, coiled into low buns at the nape and the side.

Photos: @slayedinbraids (left), @slayedinbraids (right) Pin this

What are Fulani braids?

Fulani braids are cornrows braided close to the scalp at the front, with the rest of the hair in loose braids. The pattern starts with a cornrow down the center of the head and one on each side braided toward the face, with loose braids at the temples and often a braid wrapped round the hairline.

The style comes from the Fulani people, a nomadic group who live across West Africa, in Nigeria, Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Cameroon and further. There are between 25 and 40 million Fulani. In Fulani culture, braids can signal age, marital status, wealth and social status, and they were decorated with beads, cowrie shells or silver coins. Bo Derek, Alicia Keys and Cicely Tyson have all worn them.

Today the name covers a family. Classic Fulani keeps the center row. Boho Fulani leaves curls out along the braids. Flip-over Fulani mixes the braids into the cornrow pattern and drapes them over one shoulder. Lemonade Fulani sweeps every row to one side.

Who suits Fulani braids?

Fulani braids suit anyone who wants the hair off the face at the front and length behind, but the weight is the thing to think about. Long braids are heavier, and the cornrows pull at the hairline. If your edges are thin, pick a bob or thicker braids and ask for the front rows to be loose. Dermatologists advise keeping braids shorter, since long hair is heavier.

Then think about time. Small braids take six to eight hours, medium four to six, large three to four and chunky two to three. A flip-over adds time on top.

And think about how you live. Classic Fulani is easy to tie up. Boho versions look soft but need their curls refreshed. Short Fulani braids and bobs are quicker and lighter, and they still show the pattern.

What to ask your braider for

Say the size first, small, medium, large or chunky, since it sets the time and the price. Then the length: shoulders, chest, mid-back or waist. Then the front: classic with a center row, side-swept like lemonade, flipped over, or a design such as a heart or curved rows. Then the hair: black or a color, and whether you want curls out along the braids, at the ends only, or none.

Finish with the extras, such as beads, gold cuffs or thread, and say whether you want knotless braids behind. Our knotless braids guide covers why they pull less at the root. Every look above ends on its own version of this sentence, so read yours out when you book.

How long do Fulani braids last, and how do you look after them?

Fulani braids last one to two months. Unruly puts it at four to six weeks and says no more than six to eight, and the American Academy of Dermatology says to wear braids for no longer than six to eight weeks.

Keep your scalp moisturized and sleep in a silk scarf or bonnet. Wash every three to four weeks. Boho curls need refreshing midway, so sleek versions keep their shape longer. Tight braids and cornrows can cause traction alopecia, hair loss from pulling, and if your braids hurt, they’re too tight.

What’s the difference between Fulani and tribal braids?

Fulani braids are one version of tribal braids. Tribal braids is an umbrella name for any braids set in a pattern, and it can cover Fulani, Ghana, box, goddess and stitch braids. Fulani is the one with the center cornrow, the rows braided toward the face and the loose braids behind.

	Fulani braids	Tribal braids
What it is	One named style	An umbrella name for patterned braids
The front	A center cornrow, rows braided toward the face	Any cornrow pattern: zigzags, swirls, designs
Behind	Loose braids	Loose braids, or cornrows all the way back
Finish	Beads, cuffs, cowrie shells, curls	Beads, rings, cuffs, curls

So every Fulani set is tribal, but a tribal set with a zigzag part and no center row isn’t Fulani. If you’re not sure what your photo is, show it to your braider rather than the name.

What’s the difference between Fulani braids and cornrows?

Cornrows are braided flat to the scalp from front to back. Fulani braids use cornrows only at the front, then switch to loose braids that hang free, so you get the pattern at the hairline and length behind.

How much do Fulani braids cost?

Fulani braids cost $120 to $350, according to StyleSeat. The size, the length and the extras move the price: small braids take longer than large ones, and a flip-over or a design adds time.

How long do Fulani braids take?

Fulani braids take four to eight hours. By size, small braids take six to eight hours, medium four to six, large three to four and chunky two to three. A flip-over takes six to eight, because of the extra braids and the pattern.

Take your photo, read its last line to your braider, and you’ll both know what you mean. For the rest of the family, from box and knotless to stitch and lemonade, our guide to braids for Black women has 20 more styles.

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